Antoine is a town in Pike County, Arkansas, United States, along the Antoine River. The population was 113 according to the 2020 census.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.3 km (0.5 mi), all land.
History
The town of Antoine began as a stopping point on the old Southwest Trail to Texas in the early 19th century. It was named for a French trapper who was found dead at his camp along the road (the site of the present town cemetery). The only identification found on the man was his first name, "Antoine". He was buried on the hill by the river and the gravesite became a landmark for travelers. Eventually, the name was given to the river and to the town that grew up beside it. Antoine's grave is located within the bounds of the town cemetery, although the marker has disappeared over time. Antoine is located on Arkansas Highway 26 between Murfreesboro and Arkadelphia in the southeastern section of Pike County. Antoine was one of the first settlements in what is now Pike County. It had characteristics of what our forefathers were seeking - rich level farmland and located on the bank of the Antoine River, giving them an adequate supply of water. To the north is an elevated mountain range ideal for trapping.
The town did not suffer much disaster during the Civil War, even though Union Soldiers were located in the area. The only incident recalled was about two young Antoine boys whose father was away in the Confederate Army. Being the only men at home they brought corn into Antoine to the gristmill for their mother. As they were leaving they were seized by the Yankee soldiers, their meal taken and the boys hanged from a large chinquapin tree just north of the old John Canter Home.
According to the census of 2000, there were 156 people, 64 households, and 44 families residing in the town. The population density was 118.1/km (305.3/mi). There were 74 housing units at an average density of 56.0/km (144.8/mi). The racial makeup of the town was 93.59% White, 5.77% Black or African American, and 0.64% of people with two or more races. 0.00% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
There were 64 households, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female head of the household with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.02.
The age of the local population was spread out—with 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $23,750 and the median income for a family was $24,583. Males had a median income of $14,583, versus $13,333 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,191. About 7.3% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 18.2% of those 65 or over.